Unfortunately for you I seem to be your only responder; it would have been good to get alternate views. I know there are many with the other type of diversions who would sing their praises. My reasons for the iIeal conduit were my age and speed of recovery. You will feel vulnerable and out of your depth for a few days but if you have a good stoma therapist they will increase your confidence in managing your stoma and appliances.
Getting used to sleeping with the night bag requires a bit of trial and error. I'm reluctant to share this as it sounds involved and complicated, but if you like your sleep you will thank me later. It won't mean anything yet but here are my tips for a good night sleep. (The therapist is unlikely to have learnt this bit)
1.You will probably be sleeping on your back until it's comfortable to sleep on your right side, the stoma side. Won't take long.
2. Have the night bag as low as possible. Mine is lying in a plastic box next to the bed.
3. Make sure that the pouch is 1/3 to 1/2 full before connecting up the night bag pipe. After connecting you will turn on the tap to allow your pouch to empty into the night bag. This primes the system and removes any air locks, and causes a slight vacuum in the pouch. Use an elastic velcro strap to loosely tie the pipe to your right thigh.
4. As you lie on your right side the slight vacuum helps any further urine to drain through the pouch down into the night bag. It took me a while to get this right so the pouch used to fill up without draining to the night bag and i had to force it through several times during the night. Depending how much I drink there is usually 1.5 to 2 litres in the bag in the morning and the pouch is empty. I'm pretty dehydrated in the morning.
5. Just after waking is the best time to change the pouch as the stoma is still waking up but it can still trick you!
I know it sounds daunting and it is for a few days but its a dream compared to weeks of 'training' the artificial bladder solutions and still having to get out of bed during the night.
You should be able to return to sport especially if you use a special belt to hold the pouch.
Take care,.Grace and Peace to you and your wife.